Friday, December 3, 2010

Duffy and the Ridgeback Girls

[taken 12-3-10 with the HP R717. Double click to enlarge photos]

Duffy (Susan’s six-month old Schnoodle) had been a week in Tucson with Susan. This was his first river hike after they got back and the very first time I let him walk off leash for more than a minute or two. Except for the first ten minutes or so, he was off leash. He did extremely well. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. He followed the girls sometimes, but when he was in doubt, he walked next to me in the heel position; although he has never had any formal training. In the first photo he is walking alongside Sage

In photo number two Duffy was walking with Ginger when she saw a rabbit. She took off chasing it and Duffy chased along behind her. They were out of my sight for a short time and then Ginger returned with Duffy right behind her. Ginger never catches any rabbits but I tell her “well done” anyway. I said the same thing to Duffy.

Here the three of them are walking ahead.

This last photo was on the way back to the Jeep. The weather had warmed up a bit and the girls took to going on ahead to wait in shady spots for me to catch up. It didn’t take Duffy long to decide that was a pretty smart thing to do. That is Sage with Duffy. Ginger sometimes prefers to wait in some shade while I go on ahead. Just as I start worrying about her I look around and see her walking parallel to us -- in the shade.